15 Jun 2009 DNA: The recent advisory by the US administration asking US citizens not to travel to India, was not an arrow shot in the wild. It was based on a credible input, intercepted by Indian intelligence agencies, warning of an imminent terror threat. Agency sources said that an unidentified number of fidayeen militants, who sneaked into India across the Jammu and Kashmir border some three months ago, following heavy fighting with the troops, had, perhaps, reached target cities in western and southern Indian states. Full news

Mumbai: The recent advisory by the US administration asking US citizens not to travel to India, was not an arrow shot in the wild. It was based on a credible input, intercepted by Indian intelligence agencies, warning of an imminent terror threat.

Agency sources said that an unidentified number of fidayeen militants, who sneaked into India across the Jammu and Kashmir border some three months ago, following heavy fighting with the troops, had, perhaps, reached target cities in western and southern Indian states.

"The foreign-trained terrorists were aware of the Indian security force's preparedness in guarding vital installations and other sensitive places, like airports and hotels. So, this time they might go for soft targets, such as local buses, hospitals and educational institutes. Adequate inputs have been sent out to the concerned states and agencies to help them take necessary precautions and measures," said an intelligence official from New Delhi.

In the first week of June, top officials of the home ministry held a series of high-level meetings with DGPs of several states. Senior intelligence officials belonging to agencies concerned with internal security were also present. The latest of the meetings, held on Friday morning, discussed the role of the newly-created National Investigations Agency (NIA), a source told DNA.

Meanwhile, talking on the issue of coastal security, state Director General of Police (DGP) SS Virk said that a sea patrol force of 500 personnel has been trainedby the Indian Coast Guards. "Our men are now patrolling the coastline, along with the Indian Navy and the Coast Guards," he said. "We have just concluded an elaborate coastal exercise and I will personally supervise the coastal security measures during the next few days."

He added, "The state government has sanctioned nearly Rs 30 crore for the procurement of 46 sea patrol vessels. We have already put 43 of them in use."